Regulated States & Regulatory Authorities

Currently, 20 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands have licensing or registration laws for Naturopathic Doctors. In these states, Naturopathic Doctors are required to graduate from accredited four-year residential naturopathic medical programs and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX) in order to receive a license or registration. For information about the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination Board (NPLEX) and the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE), please see the Education page.

Licensed and registered Naturopathic Doctors must fulfill state-mandated continuing education requirements annually and have a specific scope of practice as defined by their state's law. Jurisdictions that currently regulate Naturopathic Doctors are:

Alaska

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Hawaii

Kansas

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Minnesota

Montana

New Hampshire

North Dakota

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Utah

Vermont

Washington

Districts and Territories:

District of Columbia

Puerto Rico

US Virgin Islands

*For a PDF map of regulated states and states seeking licensure, please click HERE.